It was a busy year for commercial growth in Stuttgart. The community had multiple businesses looking at Stuttgart as a possible store location. The year 2012 has had two companies enter contracts for land purchase while a local resident continued work on a housing development for senior citizens.

James Family Properties, LLLP

The purchase of 7.254 acres of land across from Walmart on East 22nd Street is still pending. James Family Properties, LLLP, of Little Rock is presently under contract with the property’s owners, Union Pacific Railroad.

Attorney William C. Adkisson for James Family Properties, LLLP, said they won’t close until after February and further details about the shopping center are still unavailable.

The company has asked the Stuttgart City Council to approve a rezoning of the property in early February 2013. If rezoned, the property would go from I-1 to B-2.

The Springs

Applications are now being taken for The Springs, a housing development for senior citizens.

“The target market are residents who are 55 and over who no longer want or can’t maintain their home and want to live in a safe neighborhood with all of their home maintenance taken care of,” owner Larry Lefler said. “These units are designed for tenants who are able to take care of themselves without assisted living.”

The Springs will initially consist of six triplex apartments between 18th and 19th streets and South Spring. Each apartment will be 1,140 square feet with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. It will also have a one-car garage and a private covered patio at the back.

Lefler said the first six triplexes should all be completed in two to three years. Once all six triplexes are rented, six additional triplexes would then be built on the west side of Spring Street.

Rental rates are $800-$900 with the tenant responsible for all utilities. The first units will be available for occupancy Jan. 1.

The Springs is a part of the LEF South Buerkle Subdivision, which has room for growth.

“Although I will not be involved, my vision is for someone to develop an assisted living facility facing the Buerkle Street portion of the land,” Lefler said. “I believe in the next five years, we will have a need for that type of facility.”

Tractor Supply Company

Construction on Stuttgart’s new Tractor Supply Company continues.

“Tractor Supply Company is excited to be a new member of the Stuttgart business community,” Michael Graham with Tractor Supply Company said in an email. “The soft opening is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 12, 2013, with a grand opening celebration slated for Jan. 26, 2013.”

Page 2 of 2 - The company typically employs about 12-17 full and part-time team members at each store. Graham said there is no other hiring information available at this time.

Tractor Supply is a retail farm and ranch supply store chain. It has operated in Arkansas since 1960. The 19,100-square-foot Stuttgart store will be located at 2307 N. Hwy. 63.